[Management of allergic rhinitis in general practitioner's office]

In Switzerland, almost 20 % of the population suffers from allergic rhinitis, which has a major impact on patients' quality of life. Allergen avoidance remains the most effective measure but is not always possible. Intranasal corticosteroids, oral antihistamines, or combination of intranasal corticosteroids and antihistamines remain first-line pharmacological treatments. In case of refractory symptoms, despite well-managed symptomatic treatment, when the patient wishes a more long-term effect or for prevention of asthma, the patient can be referred to the allergologist for specific immunotherapy. The specific immunotherapy is the only treatment option that targets the underlying pathophysiology of allergy and therefore shows disease-modifying effects.